to pour or admit liquid into (a pump) to expel air and prepare for action.

to put fuel into (a carburetor) before starting an engine, in order to insure a sufficiently rich mixture at the start.

to cover (a surface) with a preparatory coat or color, as in painting.

to supply or equip with information, words, etc., for use: The politician was primed by his aides for the press conference.

to harvest the bottom leaves from (a tobacco plant).

Show More

verb (used without object),primed,prim·ing.

(of a boiler) to deliver or discharge steam containing an excessive amount of water.

to harvest the bottom leaves from a tobacco plant.

Show More

Origin of prime

before 1000;1910–15for def 5; (adj.) Middle English (< Old Frenchprim) < Latinprīmusfirst (superlative corresponding to priorprior1); (noun) in part derivative of the adj.; in part continuing Middle Englishprim(e) first canonical hour, Old Englishprim < Latinprīma (hōra) first (hour); (v.) apparently derivative of the adj.

Synonyms

1. primary. 7. Prime,primeval,primitive have reference to that which is first. Prime means first in numerical order or order of development: prime meridian; prime cause.Primeval means belonging to the first or earliest ages: the primeval forest.Primitive suggests the characteristics of the origins or early stages of a development, and hence implies the simplicity of original things: primitive tribes, conditions, ornaments, customs, tools.

Meaning "first in importance" is from 1610s in English; that of "first-rate" is from 1620s. Arithmetical sense (e.g. prime number) is from 1560s; prime meridian is from 1878. Prime time originally (c.1500) meant "spring time;" broadcasting sense of "peak tuning-in period" is attested from 1961.

Show More

prime

n.

"earliest canonical hour" (6 a.m.), Old English prim, from Medieval Latin prima "the first service," from Latin prima hora "the first hour" (of the Roman day). Meaning "most vigorous stage" first recorded 1530s; specifically "springtime of human life" (often meaning ages roughly 21 to 28) is from 1590s. In classical Latin, noun uses of the adjective meant "first part, beginning; leading place."

Show More

prime

v.

"to fill, charge, load" (a weapon), 1510s, probably from prime (adj.). Meaning "to cover with a first coat of paint or dye" is from c.1600. To prime a pump (c.1840) meant to pour water down the tube, which saturated the sucking mechanism and made it draw up water more readily. Related: Primed; priming.